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Economy of Barbados vs Seychelles compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $2.39B for the Seychelles, ranking 157/197 and 177/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $1.23B (51.5% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Barbados vs Seychelles GDP by year

Barbados
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Seychelles
2025 $8,016,550,000 $2,387,022,853
2024 $7,597,571,450 $2,228,608,684
2023 $7,223,248,150 $2,171,547,935
2022 $6,886,644,900 $1,999,888,599
2021 $5,948,900,600 $1,487,173,795
2020 $5,403,246,950 $1,382,551,752
2019 $6,166,710,800 $1,868,690,097
2018 $6,001,101,550 $1,784,313,927
2017 $5,847,381,600 $1,675,370,641
2016 $5,679,029,450 $1,568,513,348
2015 $5,699,619,150 $1,432,403,352
2014 $5,684,901,000 $1,387,577,870
2013 $5,660,059,700 $1,333,160,407
2012 $5,486,500,500 $1,089,407,839
2011 $5,563,162,050 $1,058,918,707
2010 $5,428,683,250 $981,616,542
2009 $4,466,809,600 $850,901,620
2008 $4,790,410,400 $979,597,394
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,077,308,814
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,081,441,283
2005 $3,819,500,000 $977,899,382
2004 $3,444,500,000 $893,012,218
2003 $3,209,500,000 $750,847,230
2002 $3,106,500,000 $742,134,838
2001 $3,054,500,000 $662,064,156
2000 $3,059,500,000 $654,212,394
1999 $2,951,822,205 $662,838,615
1998 $2,817,083,478 $647,287,376
1997 $2,498,384,130 $598,966,982
1996 $2,363,645,403 $535,250,347
1995 $2,216,974,096 $540,733,048
1994 $2,151,344,901 $517,570,058
1993 $2,063,342,117 $504,230,621
1992 $1,957,000,000 $461,409,399
1991 $2,020,583,702 $398,307,170
1990 $2,012,131,457 $392,163,561
1989 $2,006,165,167 $324,333,367
1988 $1,812,757,918 $301,985,618
1987 $1,704,370,308 $265,212,957
1986 $1,547,755,183 $221,147,061
1985 $1,409,536,121 $179,691,483
1984 $1,346,890,071 $160,992,921
1983 $1,236,016,507 $156,098,237
1982 $1,163,923,830 $157,211,790
1981 $1,114,204,743 $163,750,728
1980 $1,012,280,615 $156,783,830
1979 $670,362,452 $127,261,099
1978 $552,883,707 $85,552,366
1977 $495,097,668 $64,526,401
1976 $435,911,269 $49,278,982
1975 $402,178,605 $47,803,146
1974 $311,804,630 $43,134,496
1973 $260,767,828 $36,896,280
1972 $213,725,217 $30,645,123
1971 $186,826,503 $21,965,951
1970 $166,210,203 $18,432,032
1969 $141,393,142 $16,452,028
1968 $125,733,669 $16,074,028
1967 $125,554,009 $16,632,032
1966 $113,195,123 $16,443,034
1965 $105,021,997 $15,603,032
1964 $99,252,731 $15,393,032
1963 $99,893,761 $13,923,029
1962 $88,782,583 $12,642,026
1961 $85,363,759 $11,592,024
1960 $80,021,847 $12,012,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Seychelles by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $19,449 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $18,365 $33,239
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $18,131 $31,781
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $16,683 $29,973
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $7,773 - $4,689 -
1988 $7,033 - $4,392 -
1987 $6,625 - $3,872 -
1986 $6,031 - $3,368 -
1985 $5,510 - $2,754 -
1984 $5,284 - $2,488 -
1983 $4,866 - $2,426 -
1982 $4,599 - $2,441 -
1981 $4,417 - $2,557 -
1980 $4,025 - $2,478 -
1979 $2,668 - $2,030 -
1978 $2,198 - $1,377 -
1977 $1,968 - $1,044 -
1976 $1,734 - $814 -
1975 $1,601 - $806 -
1974 $1,243 - $745 -
1973 $1,042 - $649 -
1972 $856 - $547 -
1971 $750 - $402 -
1970 $666 - $344 -
1969 $567 - $314 -
1968 $506 - $314 -
1967 $508 - $333 -
1966 $462 - $338 -
1965 $433 - $328 -
1964 $414 - $332 -
1963 $421 - $308 -
1962 $377 - $287 -
1961 $366 - $270.3 -
1960 $347 - $288.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $19,449 in the Seychelles, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

Barbados Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$2.39B
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
177/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
5.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$19,449
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
64/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$1.23B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
51.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$10,019
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
59/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$11,537
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$646M
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
32.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
2.59%
2024
Population
282789
125859

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 32.7% 51.5%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 33% 56.1%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 33.1% 55.1%
2022 26.9% 104% 31.6% 60.6%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 38.8% 71%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 25% 107.2% 33% 51.3%
2017 28% 134.6% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 34.5% 64.3%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 31.5% 75.4%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 28% 90.3% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 27% 192.1%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 41.9% 144%
2006 25% 64.1% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 39% 144.1%
2004 26.2% 61% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 44.6% 177%
2002 29.1% 62% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 20.7% 59% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 18.5% 47% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 19.6% 52% 54.7% 143%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 17.3% 52% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 - - 60.4% 82.2%
1992 - - 50.7% 79.9%
1991 - - 52.1% 89.2%
1990 - - 46.1% 80.4%
1989 - - 51.7% 39.9%
1988 - - 46.7% 41.3%
1987 - - 49.7% 37%
1986 - - 58% 31.5%
1985 - - 53% 26.5%
1984 - - 50.5% 15.3%
1983 - - 47.9% 12.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $781M, or 32.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 51.5% in the Seychelles, ranking 28/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Seychelles
2025 -0.31% -0.99%
2024 -0.84% -0.68%
2023 -1.57% -1.15%
2022 -1.74% -0.77%
2021 -3.88% -5.76%
2020 -4.19% -15.7%
2019 2.86% 0.42%
2018 -0.32% -0.8%
2017 -3.64% -1.67%
2016 -4.55% 0.02%
2015 -7.58% 1.39%
2014 -6.2% 2.87%
2013 -8.46% 0.33%
2012 -6.69% 2.93%
2011 -3.47% 3.36%
2010 -7.1% 0.52%
2009 -6.19% 4.84%
2008 -3.94% 7.88%
2007 -4.08% -9.93%
2006 -3.13% -2.54%
2005 -2.78% 0.42%
2004 -2.73% 0.44%
2003 -2.86% 3.4%
2002 -4.96% -16.3%
2001 3.83% -8.93%
2000 4.68% -14.7%
1999 5.06% -10.3%
1998 5.63% -16.7%
1997 5.15% -5.91%
1996 3.5% -9.69%
1995 5.79% -2.58%
1994 6.28% -6.95%
1993 - -3.62%
1992 - 6.44%
1991 - 3.15%
1990 - 11.9%
1989 - 8.26%
1988 - 11.8%
1987 - 2.77%
1986 - -10.1%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -3.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8M, equivalent to 0.31% of GDP. This compares to the Seychelles' deficit of $23.5M, or 0.99% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Seychelles
2025 0.85% 0.3%
2024 1.45% 0.31%
2023 3.19% -1.04%
2022 - 2.63%
2021 - 9.77%
2020 - 1.2%
2019 1.68% 1.81%
2018 3.11% 3.7%
2017 4.66% 2.86%
2016 1.28% -1.02%
2015 -1.11% 4.04%
2014 1.77% 1.39%
2013 1.81% 4.34%
2012 4.53% 7.11%
2011 9.43% 2.56%
2010 5.82% -2.4%
2009 3.64% 31.8%
2008 8.11% 37%
2007 4.03% 5.32%
2006 7.31% -0.35%
2005 6.08% 0.91%
2004 1.39% 3.86%
2003 1.62% 3.3%
2002 0.13% 0.18%
2001 2.58% 5.97%
2000 2.44% 6.27%
1999 1.56% 6.35%
1998 -1.27% 2.58%
1997 7.71% 0.62%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 4.87% in the Seychelles. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 0.3% in the Seychelles.

Balance of trade

Barbados Seychelles
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$166M
2024
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
90/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
-7.46%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$1.38B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$595M
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
92.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
79.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Barbados Seychelles
Economic freedom 70.4 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 60/197
Property rights 76.4 82.6
Government integrity 71.3 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 61.7
Tax burden 83.2 77.3
Government spending 74.5 68
Fiscal health 76.5 92.2
Business freedom 72.3 71.3
Labor freedom 54.3 52
Monetary freedom 80.8 79.8
Trade freedom 48.2 81.2
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Seychelles
2026 70.4 66.5
2025 68.9 66.4
2024 66.8 60.4
2023 69.8 59.5
2022 71.3 61.1
2021 65 66.3
2020 61.4 64.3
2019 64.7 61.4
2018 57 61.6
2017 54.5 61.8
2016 68.3 62.2
2015 67.9 57.5
2014 68.3 56.2
2013 69.3 54.9
2012 69 53
2011 68.5 51.2
2010 68.3 47.9
2009 71.5 47.8
2008 71.3 -
2007 70 -
2006 71.9 -
2005 70.1 -
2004 69.4 -
2003 71.3 -
2002 73.6 -
2001 71.5 -
2000 69.5 -
1999 66.7 -
1998 67.9 -
1997 64.5 -
1996 62.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
2.61%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$2.36B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$34,930
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
146/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$268M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
-$41.4M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/seychelles | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.